Bicycle Connection switches gears in Bethany Beach

Coastal Point • Maria Counts: Bicycle Connection carries Electro bicycles to accomodate those looking for beach cruiser bikes. They also carry Trek road bikes.For years, Bethany Cycles, located on Route 26, was a destination for cyclists in the Bethany Beach area. Last December, the shop was bought by Bicycle Connection, which has another location in Maryland, and as a result it can now offer customers a wider variety of bicycle- and kayak- related products.

“We just have a lot more available than we had before,” said Manager Tommy Riebel. “We switched the line. We’re going back to Trek and the Electro line of bikes. They also have the Townies, which are very popular.”

The shop carries Trek road bikes and hybrids for all skill levels of riders and carries Electro as their beach cruisers, for those looking for a bike to use in the bike lane on Coastal Highway or on local boardwalks.

Not only does Bicycle Connection carry a variety of bikes, it also carries a variety of bike accessories, including bicycle shoes, seats, pumps, locks, storage bags, racks, trailers and baby seats.

“Not everybody’s got shoes,” explained Riebel. “We have some cycling shoes — shoes that also work for spin class, which is popular around here with a couple gyms.”

For kayakers, the store carries Hobie kayaks and accessories, including their new patented MirageDrive system with pedals.

“We’re doing exclusively Hobie kayaks, supporting everything they’ve got,” said Riebel. “They’ve got the MirageDrive system, which is the pedals for the kayaks. They’re the only ones doing it. They own all the patents on that, and it’s a fantastic piece of machinery — it works really well.”

The store also does bicycle repairs — an area of expertise that Riebel said comes from their training.

“We all go through certifications. Trek has a school they put us through so we learn all the technology,” he said. “Anything that needs to be done on a bike we can do here.”

The store is located at 792 Garfield Parkway in Bethany Beach. You can call Bicycle Connection at (302) 537-9982 or visit their website at www.thebicycleconnection.com.